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I’m just starting this from the stash. 2 queries. 1. The overall colour will be Gunship Gray. It’s as close a match as I can see from various photos on the net and seems oft recommended on here for modern French a/c tho not, so far as I can see, the Alpha Jet. (I had assumed Mirage blue was correct until I saw the photos). Does anyone have any strong evidence against Gunship Gray? 2. I assume the -E was unarmed for most of its service life. It’s even hard to find pictures of it with fuel tanks. Further,the gun pod in the kit seems to be the Mauser rather than the DEFRA . Again, have I got this wrong or were they often carrying ordnance? TIA

After some prevarication I think I'd like to put this into the group build.... I got this as part of an auction bundle of car kits and would very much like to get it done. But there's a problem. I made a rudimentary start back in December, assembly of the main bodywork parts, then quickly realised that several key components were missing. I have no instructions but I found the required document on Scalemates.com, no problem. But study of the drawings showed that I have no chassis parts, rear axle or suspension, or front axle arrangements. It was like someone had built up the chassis assembly and then put it on a shelf while the rest of the kit stayed in its box. And I got the box! I think I have the wherewithal to try a scratch built solution and the added impetus of being in a group build might just be the motivation to see it through (or fail gallantly 🤩) Here's what I've got... And this is the basic shell with the petrol tank attached to the rear... That's well under the 25% threshold, I'd say, although if the hosts say otherwise I shall reconsider my choice, of course 😉 It'd be great to get my little MG sorted out

Not a full set, but a restoration. Summer dress Winter dress with a sepia wash

My first kit in over 50 years. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Made some mistakes but all part of the fun! For a starter kit I was impressed by the quality of the fit.

Hello Everyone, While parts for my Type 45 destroyer build we're drying, I decided to make a start on another kit from my stash. At my wife's insistence, I started work on an Airfix 1:72 scale Red Arrows Gnat which has been sitting in the stash for a while. I will post sprue photos later along with the 1st construction photos. I'm working on simple builds while my destroyer is drying etc. All the best, Rick

Hello Britmodellers, Here's my take on the Airfix MiG 17. I wanted to build a slightly different machine than the famous '3020' so I did some decal juggling there. A few grainy pics show '3012' in a heavily weathered condition. It took me two tries before I ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶f̶e̶d̶ ̶u̶p̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶i̶t̶ / got the effect somewhat acceptable. Other modifications were the KK-2 bangseat, reshaped inner wing leading edges and brass gun barrels. Thanks for watching! Luka

Another more recent completion of an old kit--this Airfix kit was from 1970 and I finished it in July of 2023. This may be the oldest kit I've built and there were no issues in the build quality. Unfortunately, one small piece was missing from the bag it came in (see if you can tell which one). I painted this in the pre-war Splittertarnmuster scheme using AK Real Colors' line (RLMs 61, 62 and 63 with 65 (1938) underside) The lines came out extremely smooth and better than I expected. No issues with the decals either, though this kit did not contain any swastikas for the tail. I don't have a place near me that sells these either (and shipping to Canada for anything is outrageously expensive), so I've left the space empty right now. Maybe one day I'll pick up a sheet of swastikas (there's a fun sentence) and throw a nice red banner on the tail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he Hs 123, designed by the transportation company Henschel, was a German dive bomber and close air support biplane, used during the Spanish Civil War and much of the Second World War. Though originally intended as a dive bomber, the Hs 123 was overtaken quite early in this role by the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka, the latter having much better range, and larger bomb capacity. Due to this, the Hs 123 was transitioned into a close air support role, where it did quite well. Production was short-lived however in favour of the Stuka. The Hs 123 was used during the initial invasion of Poland where it could drop bombs very accurately, and the sound of its engine was apparently quite terrifying to hear (if the threat of being bombed wasn't enough, I suppose). It was considered a very effective aircraft and would be used by the Luftwaffe during the Blitzkrieg and later on the Eastern Front. Apparently Colonel-General Wolfram von Richthofen requested they be put back into production as late as 1943 due to their reliability in poor weather conditions which could ground more advanced aircraft.

I'd built the Airfix Valiant quite a while ago and it was interesting to note the advances made by the company in the 5 years or so between the two kits being released (2011 - 2016 according to Scalemates): a clear step up in refinement and build quality, which they've continued pretty much ever since. Next on the production line is the Vulcan so I'm looking forward to see how it stacks up against their much more recent releases. The size & shape of the Victor makes it hard to photograph, let alone display but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. Thanks for looking, J.A.

This is a fabulous kit by Airfix, very little filler needed and slots together really well. This particular Javelin was originally built as an FAW.7, and subsequently converted to FAW.9 standard before being one of the first pair of the latest version to be delivered to 25 squadron in December 1959. XH768 went on to serve with 11 Sqn after 25 disbanded and this airframe is now preserved in Italy (marked as XH707), having had a recent restoration: https://www.museoaviazione.com/en/gloster-javelin-faw-mk9-restoration-2021/ All comments and discussion welcome as always …

This is my latest build, the 1/48 Sea King from Airfix. It took quite a while for this kit to arrive in Oz but it was worth the wait. It lives up to all the hype. The detail is very crisp and the fit is good. There are 4 versions to choose from and there is a bit of cutting, sanding and filling required to build the original HAS.1. This is understandable because the other 3 versions are very similar externally so there will be far fewer changes required in building those. The kit went together quite well. I only had 2 problems. The first was a missing piece from one of the Observer’s consoles. I think it may have been loose in one of the plastic bags when I threw them out, so my own fault. I scratch built a replacement which can’t be seen anyway. The other was a poorly moulded brace for the winch housing. I still managed to use it and it can hardly be noticed. It was built OOB except for poles and wires for the crew doors, home made seat belts and lambs wool seat covers. Painting was done with Tamiya acrylics and Vallejo Metal Colors. The main colour called for RAF Blue-Grey. I bought 2 brands of Blue-Grey, neither of which was any good. One was a pastel baby blue and the other was almost black. So, I made a custom mix of XF-18 Medium Blue and XF-17 Sea Blue in a 5:1 ratio. It was weathered with Dark Dirt wash and Abteilung Smoke for exhaust staining. The base is a piece of plywood painted as a section of HMS Eagle 1960's style on one side and 1950's on the other side. Cheers

I had forgotten I had this. I have built a few Mustangs over the years starting with the original Airfix 1958 D release, followed by the Revell 1963 D version with the spurious red upper surface to the fuselage, and the Monogram B from 1967 with a Malcolm hood, which I may still have somewhere. I certainly have the Airfix B from 1978 and the Hasegawa D from 1978, and back in 2012 I picked up this new Airfix D which I may do in different markings, but more on that another time. Pete

Hi, on this group build I'm moving back to my preferred scale and also to the beginnings of NATO, and I'm building an Airfix 1:48 Supermarine Seafire F.XVII (A06102A). It is all too easy these days, seeing Leopard tanks and F-35s being presented in NATO social media posts, to forget that NATO was founded soon after the WW2 and thus most weaponry, aircraft, tanks and vessels included, that was used by NATO nations in those early years, was of similar vintage. Here is the box: It is a big box, and it contains big parts, which is a personal relief, having just built three models in 1:72... Speaking of parts, here they are: As you can see, I'm using aftermarket parts for masks and cockpit decoration. I plan to build the version on the box, from the No.767 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset, England, 1950. /Jari

Just completed this one today, my take on PO Jack Bartle's "Nan". This was a pretty fun build, not only my first ever Airfix P40/Tomahawk, but also my first ever RAF variant. The upper and lower cowl bits needed some fitting and filler, nothing terrible though. I broke the control stick, which seems to be a rite of passage with this kit. Some Tamiya extra thin got it whole again. Miraculously, I didn't knock off the gun barrels, antenna or pitot! Paints are Vallejo Model Air, decals are a mix of Eaglecals and the kit decals, and I added a Master external gun sight. The exhausts and 50 cal barrels were drilled out. I cut the seat down to a square back, added Eduard belts, scratched out the rear view mirror and gunsight in the cockpit, and added the bullet resistant panel behind the windscreen. I separated the canopy from the windscreen with a razor saw, wanting to position the canopy open. It fit fine, until the rear side glass was installed. I spent, at minimum, an hour last night with sanding sticks and polishing pads thinning the canopy from the inside so it sat in the open position better. Probably would have been easier to use a vacform canopy, but this turned out ok. Weathering was done with oils and Tamiya Weathering Master, and the brake lines were made from 32 gauge beading wire. I went for a dusty, but not battered look, which I attempted with Mission Models translucent dust, thinned, and sprayed from directly above. The effect is subtle and hard to photograph. I probably could have done a couple things better, but it will display fine. I wasn't satisfied with the exhaust staining, I toned it down with some gray after the photos were done. Thanks for looking in on this one, feedback is always welcome.

Hi All, Here is my second attempt at building a 1/48 Javelin. The first was using the Dynavector kit and on completion was handed over to the FAST museum in Farnborough and was last seen on display there. This one is using the excellent Airfix rendering which was a joy to build and a real test of masking skills! I purchased two sets of Master pitots and found the A Sqn decals in a Alleycat conversion set other decals came from the kit ones. Paints used were entirely Revell Aqua and finished off with a coat of Xtracrylics Satin Varnish. This aircraft was used for some time at Boscombe as as chase plane and was very accurately calibrated for airspeed readings. It came close to being written off when a new airframe fitter fitted a belly tank release catch the wrong way round so a lot of airframe had to be removed before the catch could be freed ( So I am told by one who was there). The full size airframe was retired to the Duxford museum. MODeller

RAF English Electric Lightning F.2A, No. 19 Sqn. B (Wng. Cdr. R.K. Barcilon), November 1974, Gütersloh, Germany Another Airfix kit I built this year that did not disappoint. Huge chunk of an airplane represented nicely in 1:72 scale. Metal finish was tempting but I went with the green in the end. Built straight from the box apart from the seat ejection handles, seat harness & pitot tube. Painted with Vallejo acrylics and weathered with Ammo products and oil paints.

Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1/U2, 11./ZG 26 Horst Wessel, 1945, Gardermoen, Norway Airfix's amazing new tool Me410. What a great kit! I had fun putting this together - and had a bit of fun painting & weathering it too. Painted with Vallejo acrylics, weathered with Ammo products and oil paints.

Hello Everyone, This one is going to be my main project. I was recently sent this kit by a very good friend of mine, who knew that I wanted to build another one especially after I saw the last James Bond movie, No Time To Die. I have previously built an Airfix 1:350 Type 45 destroyer kit as HMS Daring when the kit was first released and had always meant to build another one to go with my few other Royal Navy warships models (HMS Illustrious, HMS Turbulent, HMS Astute). This build has not been started yet (except for washing and priming the sprues), so I will post some photos of the untouched sprues and then include photos of the various build steps as I go along. I will most likely start the painting and building process tomorrow. All the best, Rick

This is the Airfix 1/35 new tool A1373 with minor conversion work to make a Mk F as used by the 2nd Northants Yeomanry from D-Day going forward.

With the (currently) 4 F-14 Tomcats still on the go and the Airfix one virtually finished, I think a breather is required to keep the modelling mojo going. SWMBO asked which helicopter I was going to do next. I have two Mistercraft kits (Desert Huey and a Cobra) which I intend to get round to, but the obvious choice, considering the US Navy theme I’m on with said Tomcats, would be the Seasprite. I bought this kit off eBay for around £5 IIRC about 4 months ago when I was building the AW Merlin. It had been part built with no paining done whatsoever using what appears to be polystyrene cement a fair while ago judging by the yellowed colour of the cement - which means (hopefully) and easier strip down. There were a few gaps in the fitted parts which also would allow for easier dismantling. A trial of removing the engine pod proved this to be the case. The parts which were not fitted are still on the sprues, so all in all, it’s going to be like a not quite new kit once it’s dismantled. The kit even has its original decals which is useful - yellowed but present. I’ll try the sunshine trick to see if they clear up a bit (but I might have to buy replacements). As purchased using the seller’s photos.

With a Japanese nightfighter finished, I thought I’d try an allied machine as well. The Blenheim isn’t as popular I thought it would be, so I’ll add a Mk IVF. Maybe I’ll go with the one on the box cover, unless I can scrounge some serials and codes for a plane in navy colours. Or maybe not. Will do some research, found seceral titles on Scribed. The box: I built the old Airfix as a kid and remember struggling - I expect this to be a bit different. The box contains pieces to do a regular Mk. IV as well, so that is another possibility. Assembled the office - will try to paint it all in one piece. I’m masking the lower window to paint it on the inside as well. The rest of the glass house I’ll paint only from the outside. It’s very thick anyway. This is the first Airfix model I’ve seen where the flaps can be left lowered, with moulded structure inside. Thickness of braces is of course widely overscale. Will see what to do. Some internal structure in the wheel houses too: Fit seems good, but the soft plastic has quite rounded edges, which results in trenches where the pieces mate. I expect some filling.

Hi All, Happy Easter to one and all! Whilst I am waiting for a replacement kit for my DAF duo project, I thought I'd start another build! Inspired by @AliGauld's lovely 1;48 B25, I thought I'd have another crack at Auntie's lovely Mitchell II. This was one of my very first RFIs on this forum, a whole 5 years ago, so I thought it was about time to build another. As that build was one of the kit schemes, I thought this time I'd try something a little different, so I'm going to build this as a PRU version, specifically MA956 of 684 Sqn RAF: You will note that this is a single colour scheme, so I will have to try and add some texture! I was a little dubious regarding the scheme as presented above - an AVM flying on operations?? There is very little photographic evidence I can find of this scheme, but the legend Tony O'Toole did build one a few years back. Here's the scheme as presented on his thread (I believe it is a DK Decals sheet): That shows no mission tally, no AVM pennant, white centres to the roundel, and a serial in white - hmmmm! Any photographic evidence gratefully received, but at least I can paint it PRU blue. Interestingly this version of the scheme shows de-icing boots, whereas the other does not (I suspect the latter to be correct, and it will certainly add a little interest). So, here's the boxart: Here's the sprues: The lovely transparencies: The decals (stencils only will be used), along with obligatory mask set: In order to make a PRU version there are a couple of changes I shall need to make: - Fair over the astrodome behind the cockpit - Plunge mould a large astrodome in place of the dorsal turret - The ventral turret is faired over - The 3 cameras were mounted in the ventral turret location arranged in a lateral fan (one pointing downwards, two oblique), so appropriate holes will need to be drilled. I don't think the cameras will be at all visible so no point adding them. As I say, references are scarce for this one, so any information gratefully received! As the wife is infected with the spicy sneeze we will be laying low this weekend, so plenty of available bench time. There's always a silver lining,,, Thanks for looking, Roger

This is my latest completion, the Airfix 1/72 kit of the Messerschmitt BF 110E Trop, built using the kit scheme for a machine from 7/Zerstörergeschwader 26, Derna, Libya, 1942. It’s also the first of my many builds in the WW2 Twins GB I’m running to make it over the line. Pretty much OOB, I added the crew as the cockpit detail was a bit on the sparce side, and the nose guns were replaced with brass tube. Paint is Mr Hobby acrylics, and weathering is a combination of oil paints and pigments. The WIP is here. James

Hi all, I recently noticed that the paintwork on my Airfix Sea Vixen from a few years ago was starting to craze and fade somewhat. As I have fond memories of building the kit and it’s not exactly easy to get hold of a replacement I decided to give it a refresh. MRP provided the paints, the EDSG being a much better match, and the decals came from a variety of sources. The stencils mainly came from print scale, probably the most traumatic three day decalling odyssey I ever hope to endure! Thin and extremely “grippy”! I used VMS satin varnish for the final finish which I have to say is absolutely lovely stuff - very very smooth! In the process of gluing the last few bits back on I managed to crack the windscreen, fortunately I too cracked and bought another kit along with the FAW.1 conversion from Alleycat which includes a new windscreen. The spare kit one will eventually find its way onto this model. Hope you like the model ! I think she needs a Phantom and a Buccaneer for company…. First the original: And now the 2024 refresh:

Hi, Folks, latest one from me. By a coincidence I received this recently for my birthday and it come up on my Sultan thread as SMM models were suggested for 12m masts by @ivan-o, which happen to be made for the Ferret, so I also ended up getting their Ferret upgrade kit as well. I meant to re-do this for a while as I confess I rushed the first one I did. The upgrade kit includes new hatches, replacement extinguishers and shovel, PE exhaust covers, reflectors and a new exhaust fish tail. I really like that I can choose to have the drivers small hatch open. I would definitely get another one if I decided to re-do it again. I also widened the grills on the kit part and replaced the rubies with clear resin. SMM do load of extras and you could easily fork out twice the kit price in upgrades. Paints are a mixture of Tamiya, Humbrol and Mig as were the weathering pigments. Gloss coat was Quick Shine, Vallejo matt varnish. The jerry cans are from the spares box. Water was left over from the Academy Warrior and the fuel was from the Hobby Boss Jackal. The straps were tape and the buckels come with the upgrade kit. Pleased with how the exhaust come out. It was the first time I used rust pigments. Bill

I had a lot of trouble at home one weekend and out of frustration I curled up at home and retreated to my model building corner. It's quiet at home, which I can't stand at all, so I turn on the TV and listen to MTV: 80's hits To get back down, I opened the cupboard and looked to see which model should be in... then I found my already prepared project Spitfire Type 389 and Type 390... now I won't let you die ignorant. This is about the P.R.XIX, of which there were/are two versions. Since I have two kits of it, it was clear that both versions should be built. First of all, I decided on the lesser-known version, Type 389. How is this different? Sure - in the engine or compressor system. Unfortunately, some people on the Internet don't know for sure what type is, so you have to take a closer look! This is it, the Supermarine Type 389 / Spitfire Mk XIX (Early), two cameras in the fuselage directed on gull wing area downwards, one camera on the left side behind the cockpit, fishtail exhaust pipes (unfortunately I don't have it yet: QB 48191) Literature on this type can only be found in the following editions: KAGERO SPitfire #40 The model from Airfix was easy to build, little rework, the parts fit very well. A good recommendation for all Spitfire fans.